LOGIN

FEEDBACK

REGISTER

State

NDPP rebuffs NPF criticism of CM’s I-Day speech

DIMAPUR, AUG 28 (NPN) | Publish Date: 8/28/2018 12:00:17 PM IST

NDPP has reacted sharply to the criticism of chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s Independence Day speech by NPF spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon.

In a statement issued by its media & communication committee, the ruling party asserted that NPF had no moral authority to raise the issue of transparency, accountability and VIP culture as it became epitome of corruption, manipulation and deceit during its rule. It alleged that NPF leaders and party office-bearers crisscrossed roads with VIP lights, designation plates, escorts and bodyguards with no regard for common citizens and conducted themselves as super VIPs, instead of serving the people.

Stating that the changed scenario now was there for everybody to see and experience and did not require any elaboration, NDPP reiterated that the PDA government was against VIP culture and that it would continue to take steps in removing symbols and habits of VIP culture in every possible way.

Reacting to the criticism of not doing enough for the victims of natural calamity in Nagaland, the ruling party claimed that the PDA government had left no stone unturned in its endeavour to carry out relief, rehabilitation and providing logistical support. Emergency services, disaster management teams, relief operations and humanitarian aid had been activated like never before, it added.

The party claimed that all members of displaced families had been given relief and financial aid for 30 days as per NDMA guidelines and that the NSDMA was carrying out assessment of damaged properties for onward submission to the higher authorities.

It asked NPF to appreciate that all PDA elected members and party officials had contributed one month’s salary towards Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Also, rank and file of party organisations of the PDA coalition partners generously contributed towards relief operations, along with members of the PDA coordination committee, who contributed generously and even carried out relief distribution activities, besides reaching out to impacted sections to gather firsthand reports of the response of government agencies.

NDPP clarified that it did not want to publicise its charitable activities, but added that as NPF had made it an issue, it also asked the opposition party to make public what humanitarian activities it had undertaken to ease the lives of those who were suffering. Reacting to NPF’s criticism over roads, the ruling party pointed out that on the first day of being sworn in, the PDA government had taken a decision to begin repair and renovation of roads in district headquarters within 60 days. It claimed that the exercise began on a war footing and was progressing very well, before the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha by-election came into effect for more than a month, followed by heavy rains that stopped all repair and renovation works as government agencies and machineries were directed towards emergency and relief operations all over the State.

Assuring the PDA government’s commitment of providing good roads, the party, however, said it was only appropriate that the natural calamity should be tackled first and wait for the rains to subside, else it would be wasteful effort and expenditure.

On law and order, the ruling party claimed that the State has returned to an environment of peace and tranquility. Admitting that at times certain incidents did take place, the party said law enforcing agencies were alert and alive to the situation.

“We have not allowed any situation to get out of hand and the government’s agencies will continue to remain alive to any given situation in close coordination with civil society,” it stressed.

On agitations, the party clarified that the government was assessing each issue in a just and impartial manner, adding that it was only trying to clear the “mess and confusion” created by the previous regimes. It assured of approaching every issue without any favouritism and that justice would be delivered so that all stakeholders were taken on board.

The statement suggested that NPF would do well not to point fingers at others as the PDA government was unravelling many discrepancies and malpractices of the previous regimes.

“We are trying the streamline the system, restore good governance and ensure transparency, but we may be compelled to reveal and expose activities of the NPF governments of the last four years when their leaders enjoyed power, misused their positions and led the State towards a downswing at the expense of somebody else’s mandate,” it warned.

NDPP said it was amusing that NPF and TR Zeliang were claiming responsibility for the initiatives of PDA government even as it the former had failed to play the role of a responsible opposition. The ruling party asserted that NPF had no moral authority to claim responsibility when its leader had been exposed filing false affidavit and claiming false educational qualification, in which the entire State was embarrassed.

On ULB elections and women’s reservation, NDPP advised NPF to either remain silent or apologise to Naga people for the fiasco it had created and for taking the entire Naga society into a deep crisis. It asked the NPF spokesperson to think twice before advising the government on how to resolve the issue.

Similarly, on illegal immigrants and ILP, NDPP pointed out that a high-powered committee had been set up and that all necessary steps and mechanisms had been put in place to face any eventuality.

According to the ruling party, the Independence Day speech was “visionary, ground breaking and contained several new initiatives aimed a starting a new era of progressive development in Nagaland.”

NDPP assured the people that the PDA government would make every possible effort to work for their welfare and that it was committed towards bringing positive change. It appealed to all sections of people to come forward and partner in this new and exciting journey ahead and not be distracted by “false and misleading intentions of failed leaders seeking publicity to be in the limelight”.